oneHeadlight
Well-Known Member
Hi... PML say it lasts a lifetime. BUt i've heard otherwise. ANyone can advise ?
e46 transmission oil
- Thread starter oneHeadlight
- Start date
yendor
Well-Known Member
Re: e46 transmission oil
No Bro...When you get the opportunity to get close to the draining trans oil, take a whiff. It may smell burnt and that is not good. When BMW specs the oil and says it is lifetime, they take into consideration that you will change the trans after 150k km or so.... so duh....99% of drivers do not reach 150K km in the 3 yr warranty period.
The oil is not gonna cost you much compared to the replacement cost. IMO, change the oil..
No Bro...When you get the opportunity to get close to the draining trans oil, take a whiff. It may smell burnt and that is not good. When BMW specs the oil and says it is lifetime, they take into consideration that you will change the trans after 150k km or so.... so duh....99% of drivers do not reach 150K km in the 3 yr warranty period.
The oil is not gonna cost you much compared to the replacement cost. IMO, change the oil..
yendor
Well-Known Member
Re: e46 transmission oil
Bro, should not wait until so late. After about 1 yr or 20 000km should change the ATF. Can see and feel the difference. Fro brand new vars, after the first 5000km, should change the oil cos the initial wear in metal particles would have dislodged by then.
Cheers
rodders said:
Bro, should not wait until so late. After about 1 yr or 20 000km should change the ATF. Can see and feel the difference. Fro brand new vars, after the first 5000km, should change the oil cos the initial wear in metal particles would have dislodged by then.
Cheers
oneHeadlight
Well-Known Member
Re: e46 transmission oil
Thanks guys... better safe than sorry...$100 over dollars... don't drink for one night hahaha..
Thanks guys... better safe than sorry...$100 over dollars... don't drink for one night hahaha..
martmode8850
Well-Known Member
Re: e46 transmission oil
just a quick one... if the average tranny life is about 150000km... by changing oil, how many more kilometers can it extend it by?
however, i fully agree that oil can & will break down over time.
just a quick one... if the average tranny life is about 150000km... by changing oil, how many more kilometers can it extend it by?
however, i fully agree that oil can & will break down over time.
Re: e46 transmission oil
Actually, don't have to wait till then. I might be wrong, but theoretically, you should change all the "first round" of oil that comes when you recieve your ride after they reach certain mileage..like engine oil after 7k, tranny oil after 5k etc..rodders said:
oneHeadlight
Well-Known Member
Re: e46 transmission oil
BVO recommend changing at 40k interval...
rodders said:
BVO recommend changing at 40k interval...
yendor
Well-Known Member
Re: e46 transmission oil
Yup, chould change thereabouts.... The gearbox oil is the most punishing oil in a car becos of the constant shearing forces involved when metal meets metal. To improve the shear capabilities of oil, manufacturers add in sulphur into gear oils and that is why they stink. The sulphur thickens the the oil and does not allow it to be squashed out between metal surfaces. In ATFs, the conditions are worse. The torque converter allows oil to run past the plates when you are at the lights and this heats up the oil and breaks it down slowly. And that's why you have a oil to water ATF cooler at the bottom of your radiator. IMO the cost to replace the ATF is far far cheaper than replacing the tranny. Oh yes almost forgot. The strainer in the gearbox is not critical for replacement everytime as once the run in ATF is changed, there is very little metal left in the oil and thus not too dirty. Anyway the strainer is alot more porus compared to a metal filings size. It is the job of the magnets in the sump to catch the metal filings. The strainer is to prevent chunks from entering the hydraulic system.
Where do the chunks come from? (Try moving forward and engaging reverse without stopping.....when you hear the grinding moise, metal chunks are being developed....)
Cheers
Yup, chould change thereabouts.... The gearbox oil is the most punishing oil in a car becos of the constant shearing forces involved when metal meets metal. To improve the shear capabilities of oil, manufacturers add in sulphur into gear oils and that is why they stink. The sulphur thickens the the oil and does not allow it to be squashed out between metal surfaces. In ATFs, the conditions are worse. The torque converter allows oil to run past the plates when you are at the lights and this heats up the oil and breaks it down slowly. And that's why you have a oil to water ATF cooler at the bottom of your radiator. IMO the cost to replace the ATF is far far cheaper than replacing the tranny. Oh yes almost forgot. The strainer in the gearbox is not critical for replacement everytime as once the run in ATF is changed, there is very little metal left in the oil and thus not too dirty. Anyway the strainer is alot more porus compared to a metal filings size. It is the job of the magnets in the sump to catch the metal filings. The strainer is to prevent chunks from entering the hydraulic system.
Where do the chunks come from? (Try moving forward and engaging reverse without stopping.....when you hear the grinding moise, metal chunks are being developed....)
Cheers
